Aspergers - A Family's Story

I was first told this when Harrison had just been diagnosed and I was shocked and terribly upset to say the least.

This was not the little boy I knew that was being described to me.  How could a determination of such magnitude be made so matter of factly.

I knew that this was not my Harrison and in my heart of hearts I set out on a bit of a mission to prove to myself how off the mark this comment was.

I asked myself - How Do I feel Love? and came back with so many different feelings and emotions that I could not possibly put them into words. I was over whelmed with these feelings and to me everyone of them was love.   So then I started watching Harrison and keeping track of what I felt was his way of feeling love.

Firstly is his love for Richard and myself.  He has this in abundance and is never short of telling us so.  He loves the normal things that all kids love about their parents and he is totally non judgmental about us.  He loves us both to cuddle him in the morning before taking his medication,  He loves us to tuck him into bed and wants us both to kiss him goodnight.  He loves the security of being part of a family.

 

Then there's the little things that I could very easily have missed if I hadn't been so determined on my little mission.  The sparkle in his eye when the phone rings and he races to answer knowing that it is Grandma.  Hearing the conversation he holds with his Grandma and the giggles as they tell each other the latest jokes - half of which Harrison doesn't get but he laughs anyway because it Grandma telling them.  Hearing Harrison end the conversation with I miss you and love you Grandma!

Harrison's  special ways of thinking of someone else.  Like asking me to make a Brave Book for his Grandma just like his so that Grandma can write down the brave things she has done too.

Getting me to phone his friend's mum because Lucas has been sick and Harrison wanted to make sure he was ok.

Having his finger held by a baby and saying with much delight - She loves me Mum!

Seeing him eating his favourite food and hearing him laugh at his favourite television program.

Watching him running down to board walk at the beach full of mischief!

Seeing the way he carefully puts his toys away after playing.

I knew that Harrison really loved animals as when we are walking home from school we regularly stop to pat and talk to dogs, cats and watch out for any other creature but I did not realise to what extent until the day of the school carnival a week ago.  There at this carnival was a petting farm with baby goats, calves, ducks and ducklings, chickens, pigs, sheep,guinea pigs and more.  Harrison spent around an hour patting, holding and gently talking to the animals.  Then we went back again later in the day as the animals were tiring and starting to lie down.  Here to one side was Harrison sitting on a farm stool nursing, gently stroking and talking to a little baby goat.  He was so loving and caring and the little goat was so relaxed and comfortable that it went to sleep right there in Harrison's arms.  Harrison was so proud and said to me - The goat just loves me Mum!

Above all there is Harrison's total love of life.  He wakes up happy and goes to bed happy.  Obviously during the day there may have been ups and downs but wherever we go with him he leaves a happiness calling card and people always comment about how unforgettable he is and how luck we are to have such a beautiful child.

So I have come to the conclusion that my gut instincts as a mother are the best judge of all things Harrison.